The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1887-05-19
Secretary Window and en- Attorney Cen
sral McVeaRh, Of President Garfeld's Cabi-
net, were among the guests present
At 1il0 o'clock Marshal Wilson, taking
hln Ia. a L.. 4

| CltlN Oh tnb army OF tne Cumberland Win tncbe
distinguished guests, arc assembled here to-day
Tor the purpose OF unyeiling the statue OF that
eminent statesman and soldier, James A. Gar
held The exercises win be opened with prayer
by Dr. Glesy
In his prayer the clergyman referred in
glowing language TO the merits OF the illus
trious statesman TO whom the statue was
erected. The Marine Band surrounding the
monument struck up "Hail TO the Chief"
and amid the clapping OF hands the Amer
Itican flag enveloping the statue was dropped
Ind the great bronze image stood exposed
10 the rays Of the midday sun
There was short lull in the proceedings
while battery OF artillery fired national
salute. General Sheridan then introduced
the orator OF the day-General j. Warren
Keifcr-who, on the part Of the monument
committee, delivered an address transfer
ring the statue TO General Sheridan.
The statue unveiled to-day, the orator
said, was not alone in honor OF a citizen
distinguished for good qualities Of head and
heart, nor alone 10 a scholar eminent for
his attainments, nor alone to soldier
renowned for his bravery and successful
high command, nor alone 10 a statesman
and politician as wise and prudent as he
was outspoken and bold, nor yet alone TO q
Chief Magistrate, who welded the scepter
OF power In the interest Of the citizen, but
TO one who combined within himself all
these various characters, and illustrated all
| these qualities in q single life. This statue
was mainly o tribute from Garheld's imme-
| diate companions VI the Army of the Cum
! berland, prompted by love born OF camp,
bivouac and battle yet, in a larger sense,
IL was the nations tribute TO the memory
OF citizen, educator, soldier, statesman
| and ruler.
After brief description OF the monu-
ment General Keifer sketched Garfeld's
/ career as scholar, teacher, soldier, states
man and President, from his boyhood TO
the day Of his death, and then, in closing,
| said
MY CoMRADEs--He now mustors with that
| larger part OF tho Army OF the Cumberland,
who, having paid the penalty OF devotion 10
cause and country, and fulfilled lifes earthly
/ mission, have passed on 10 Join the Grand Army
| Of the Republic beyond the grave. We are all
soon 10 be there, and muster again as one re-
united host Comrades, this splendid statue is
worthy OF you who conceived IT, and II is
worthy OF the great sculptor who created IL;
/ and II is also worthy OF him whose life and
character Is so impcriectly described by me,
and 50 grandly symbolzed by the artist En-
during as this bronze statue may be, the ruth
less vandal or iconociast may demolish H. or
| Time that destroyerof all things not fashioned
| by Omnpotence, will crumble II to dust What
the artist has done and whatwe may do or say
here 70 perpetuhte his name or fame may pass
| away and be forgotten. But the sun OF his glory
has risen. full orbed, high in the armament OF
eternal truth and Justice, there TO shine on and
on thrut7h the ages. Socrates was condemned
TO drink The fatal cup OF hemlook, and thus
| give up his mortal body; but his philosophy the
poison could not kill: Il was immortal So Gar
Held WAS doomed 10 fall by fatal bullet and
thus surrender his mortal body, but HIS words
and deeds did not die; they belong 10 eternity;
they, too, are immortal Our hero cared little
for past example compared with present duty;
he believed In . morning star OF progress reign
ing porpotuaily IN tho ornament Of our repub
lie, To set only when
The eternal morning
Palcs IN Us glorics nil the lights OF Time.
So may we, guided and controlled by this
bright star OF progress, continue with the best
light within us 10 perform towards our fellow
men and our country the full mission OF the
present life, remembering that
New occasions teach new duties;
Times make ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still, and onward,
Who would keep abreast OF Truth.
Lo, before us CLEAN her camp-fires
We ourselves must pilgrims be,
Launch our Mayiiowcr and steer boldly
Through the desperate winter sea,
Nor attempt the Futures portal
With the Pasts blood.rusted key" Il
At its conclusion General Sheridan, In
behalf Of the society, transferred the statue
10 the President in the following words:
Mn PREsIpENr-Tnis statue which has been
unveiled in your presence today was erectedhy
the comrades OF General Garfield belonging 10
the Army OF the Cumberland. They recognized
his merits as o soldier. and they wished to pay
man / have the honor sir, on behalf OF the
Society OF the Army OF the Cumberland 10 ask
You as the representative OF the American peo.
Pile 20 accept the statue from their hands as 1t
was given 10 me.
The President, who arose as General
Sheridan began speaking, then began his
address, accepting the statue as gift TO
the nation.
FELLOW CTTIzENs-1n performance OF the
duiyasslgncd TO me on this occasion, hereby
uTa nm pf ~ n
States, this complete and beautiful statue.
Amid the Interchange OF fraternal greetings be-
tween the survivors OF the Army OF the Cum
berland and their former foes upon the battle.
field and while the Union General and the
peoples President awaited burial, the common
grief Of these magnanmous survivors and
n burning citizens found expression in the de-
termination TO erect this tribute TO American
greatness, and thus to-day, in It's symmetry and
beauty IL presents sign of animosities forgot.
ten. an emblem OF a brotherhood redeemed and
q token OF a nation restored
Monuments and statues multiply throughout
the land, TN ugly Illustrative OF the love and
affection OF our grateful people, and commemo-
rating brave and patriotic sacrifices IN war. fame
in peaceful pursuits, or honor in public station.
But from this day forth there shall stand at
our seat OF government this statue OF dis
tinRmished citizen who in his life and services
combine all these things and more, which chal-
longe admiration in American Misunderstanding
tenderness In every domestic relation, bravery
on the field OF battle, fame and distinction in
and halls OF legislation, and the highest honor
our dignity in the Chief Magistracy OF the ma
ton
This stately efi,gy shall not fail to teach cvery
hcholder that the source OF American greatness
IS confined TO no condition, nor dependent alone
Tor its growth and development upon favorable
surroundings. The genius OF our national life
beckons to usefulness and honor TO those in
every sphere, and offers the highest preferment
TO manly hopes and sturdy, honest effort chnst.
toned and consecrated by patriotic hopes and
aspirations. AS long as this statue stands letit
be proudly remembered that TO every American
attN Of a. Tnt. a..A saea
until ne
'Movng up from high to higher
Becomes on Fortunes browning slope
The pillar OF a Peoples hope
The center OF Worldss desire"
Nor can we forget that II also teaches our peo-
pie sad and distressing lesson: and the
thoughtful citizen who views its fair proper
tions cannot fail to recall the tragedy OF death
which brought grief and mourning TO every |
household In the land But while American
citizenship stands aghast and affrighted that |
murder and assassination should lurk in the |
midst OF free people, and strike down the head |
OF their government q fearless search and the |
discovery of the origin and hiding-place OF these
hateful and unnatural things should be followed |
by solemn resolve to purge forever from our |
political methods and from the operation OF our |
government the perversons and misconcep- |
tions which gave birth TO passionate and bloody |
thoughts.
II from this hour our admiration for the
bravery and nobility OF American manhood, |
and our faith in the possibilities and opportuni-
ties OF American citizenship be renewed; " our |
OF the blessings OF u restored |
union and love OF our government be strength
ened. andif our watchfulncss against the dan
gers OF mad chase after party spoils be quick
cncd, the dedication OF this statue to the peo |
ploof the United States will not be in vain.
During the delivery OF his address the |
President was frequently interrupted by
of applause. He spoke fluently
In clear voice, which was audible to most
Of the vast crowd that filed the circle be-
fore the stand When he had concluded
The band played "Hail Columbia,n and
Rev, Y. y. Power, who was pastor OF Cen
eral Garield's church IN this city, pro
nounced the benediction.
The troops were then dismissed and the
ceremonies came TO an end Secretaries
Endicott and Whitney came In during the /
oration Mrs. N'as VINO was also delayed,
took The scat beside Mrs. Cleveland which
had been vacated hy tho President when he
stepped forward 70 begin his address